MORE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Valley Christian High was in the giving mood Friday night. Unfortunately for the Crusaders, it neither was the time nor the place for such generosity. Not with the Olympic League championship on the line.

Maranatha took advantage of two early turnovers deep in Valley Christian territory that were converted into a pair of touchdowns. The short-range scoring drives in a game of such magnitude factored greatly in Valley Christian falling just short in a 31-28 loss to the visitors from Pasadena.

The victory boosted Maranatha’s record to 8-2 overall but more importantly kept its Olympic League record unblemished at 4-0. Valley Christian suffered its first league loss and fell to 3-1 in league play and 4-5 overall.

Maranatha’s Dexter Myers sealed this thrilling game by intercepting a pass with 29.1 seconds remaining.

Jonathan Nicholson had a big night for Valley Christian, rushing for 139 yards. That included TD bursts of 56 yards and 22 yards.

Valley Christian also scored on a 22-yard pass from quarterback Jack Struiksma to Brian Cok and a 20-yard scoring run by Michael Douglas.

But Maranatha’s two-way dynamo Caleb Devine was a menace to the Crusaders’ on both sides of the ball.

Devine’s hard hits from his middle linebacker position rattled Crusader ball carriers. Offensively, Devine was a force from his tailback spot as both a runner and a pass catcher. Devine scored three touchdowns on runs of 15, 16 and four yards.

Nicholson’s 56-yard TD breakaway came on Valley Christian’s first possession of the game on its second play from scrimmage. He broke free off left tackle and left defenders sprawled as he dashed to the end zone.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that Jonathan Nicholson rushed for 139 yards in the game.